Firehouse Dog

Dewey the dog drops out of the sky—literally—and into the life of a boy named Shane (Josh Hutcherson), who could use a pal: his mom's run off, his uncle recently died, and his fire captain dad (Bruce Greenwood) just doesn't know what to do with this troubled kid. Dad's firehouse could use some help, too: not only is it slated to be shut down, but there's an arsonist on the loose in the city. Regardless of how much agony and angst and tragedy the movie piles on to its characters, rest assured that the dog will fix all. Did I mention that “lost dog” Dewey is actually “Rexxx,” a pampered Hollywood pooch star (think: Doc Hollywood gone to the dogs)? Todd Holland's Firehouse Dog is a perfectly excruciating mix of stupidity and sentimentality, comprised of equal parts preposterousness (even as live-action cartoons go), obviousness (you'll guess who the secret villain is the moment he steps onscreen), and goopy nonsense (please, no more skateboarding dogs). Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include an alternate opening scene animatic and three deleted scenes with optional commentary (5 min.), a nine-minute Fox Movie Channel “Casting Session” segment, a four-minute “Dogster Montage,” a “Loft Fire” storyboard-to-screen comparison featurette with optional commentary (4 min.), “A True Hollywoof Story” featurette (3 min.), a “Tricks of the Trade” featurette on animal trainers (2 min.), “Stunt Dogs: Who Protects Them?” on the American Humane Association (2 min.), segments on a “Firehouse Tour” (2 min.), “Family Values” (2 min.), and “A Friend for Life: Dog Shopping Tips” (2 min.), a Humane Society PSA featuring young star Josh Hutcherson, a canine star poster gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an unexceptional family flick.] (M. Johanson)